Original Item: Only One Available: This is lovely example of the extremely rare Model 1937 RAD Führer Haumesser (Officer/Leader's Hewer), complete with original plated steel scabbard and rare leather belt hanger. It was produced by the well-known Solingen-based firm of ALCOSO, a highly desirable maker of this rare dagger/hewer.

This lovely piece shows some wear to the hilt, which has worn off much of the original antiqued silver plating, now retained mostly in the recesses. It looks to have been cleaned at times, and the areas missing the plating now show a shiny aluminum finish with some wear. The pommel features the noble eagle looking to the viewer's left. The details to the eye, brow and beak are exceptional. The reverse of the head has the four decorative accents that give the viewer the feel of feathering, and there is a similar accent under the chin.

The "ferrule" portion of the grip has the accent grooves that are set on about a 30 degree angle running the right to left direction, still retaining the antiquing in the grooves. The crossguard features the two quillons that ride outward and curl at the ends, which also retain some of the antiqued plating. The reverse is plain, while the obverse center area depicts the RAD logo. It is a lined spade, having a superimposed, raised mobile swas (hook cross) in the center. Below, the shovel is bordered at the bottom with two wheat stalks positioned on 45 degree angles. The celluloid grip plates are a pleasing off-white color, looking almost like aged ivory. The obverse plate is in great shape, however the grip plate on the rear has a crack running through the inlet for the securing screw. The original plated steel securing screw is still present in the left side grip, however it has lost the plating and now is lightly oxidized.

The blade on this example is excellent, still showing a lot of the brushed "matte" finish, which has not been completely polished out as they often are. There is very little oxidation of any kind, and the edge is correctly unsharpened, and completely devoid of dents or other wear. The blade is slightly curved, with a lovely curved "clip-point" (bowie) style tip, and still looks quite nice, with the usual thin fuller at the top. The acid-etched RAD Motto: Arbeit adelt (Work Ennobles) still retains the original texture, but the darkening is mostly worn away.

The reverse ricasso is etched with the trademark Alcoso used from 1936-1940. It depicts the scales with the firm's initials, ACS interspersed. Above is the firm's name in an arc, ALCOSO, and below the town of business, SOLINGEN, the legendary "City of Blades" in Western Germany.

Alcoso is a trade name of Alexander Coppel & Co. KG, Stahlwarenfabrik (Steelwares Factory), located in Solingen, the legendary German "City of Blades." According to J. Anthony Carter's book, GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, the company was a major manufacturer of edged weapons and tools from the end of the 19th century up until the WWII period. Unfortunately, as NSDAP-control increased, brothers Carl Gustav and Dr. Alexander Coppel, the Jewish owners of the firm, were forced out. In 1936 the firm had been "Aryanized", and started using the name ALCOSO to hide the Jewish family name. By the end of 1936 the brothers were ejected from their Solingen offices, and by 1940 the brand trademark initials ACS were changed to AWS to reflect the change in ownership and name: Alexander Coppel Solingen to Alcoso-Werk Solingen. Carl Gustav Coppel committed suicide in Solingen in 1941, and Dr. Alexander Coppel was arrested in 1942 and sent to Theresienstadt Prison camp, where he died August 5th 1942. The factory itself was destroyed by Allied bombers in November 1944.

The steel scabbard shell is straight throughout, showing no bends and just a few small dents. It still retains much of the original plating throughout the surface, which was probably originally partly or totally darkened with oxide. It has been cleaned over the years, which has removed some of that, but it still has a great tarnished look in many areas. The pebbled central portion was originally blackened and then polished to give a great effect. The front upper area features the line-decorated RAD curls. Below are 45 degree angle-positioned wheat shafts, a motif that is repeated on the drag. The reverse upper and lower panels are plain. The throat still retains one of the two retaining screws on the thinner sides of the scabbard, and the simple hanging clips are still intact.

Attached to this is a lovely hard to find leather RAD belt hanger, which has all aluminum fittings. The leather is brown and in very good shape, showing the expected finish crinkling and cracking from age. The top fitting of the hanger is marked with the "Barred A" trademark of F. W. Assmann & Söhne of Lüdenscheid, a large maker of belts, buttons, and other accoutrements.

This is a truly lovely example of a rare hewer/dagger by the well-known maker ALCOSO, which is sure to appreciate in value over the years. These are very hard to come by, especially with aluminum hilts and leather belt hanger. A worthy addition to any WWII Edged weapon collection!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10 3/4"
Blade Style: Single Edged Clip Point Hewer
Overall length: 15 1/4“
Crossguard: 2 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 10 3/4"

The basis of the RAD, Reichsarbeitsdienst, (National Labor Service), dates back, at least, to 1929 with the formation of the AAD (Anhalt Arbeitsdienst) and the FAD-B (Freiwillingen Arbeitsdienst-Bayern).  Shortly after AH’s appointment as Chancellor in Jan 1933, the NSDAP consolidated all labor organizations into the NSAD (Nationalsozialist Arbeitsdienst), a national labor service. It served as an agency to help mitigate the effects of unemployment on the German economy, militarize the workforce and indoctrinate it with NSDAP ideology. It was the official state labor service, divided into separate sections for men and women.

On June 26 1935 the NSAD was officially re-designated RAD. Originally personnel serving with RAD wore a variety of earlier FAD/NSAD belt buckles until February 15TH 1936 when new pattern belt buckles for Officer’s and EM/NCO’s were introduced to provided uniformity in dress.